1979
1980
1982
The three albums pictured above are all excellent. One of them is an absolute classic. The first album by The Records contained “Starry Eyes,” which many feel is the greatest power-pop song ever written. (editor’s note: THE greatest power-pop song EVER written? I dunno, to me that sounds like ample fodder for the “Comments” section below.) For me, that first album with “Teenarama,” “Girl,” “Girls That Don’t Exist,” “Up All Night,” “All Messed Up and Ready To Go,” “Affection Rejected” and “Starry Eyes” is one of the most important and excellent records ever made.
The Records were formed by John Wicks and Will Birch. Their songs still sound fresh to me even now, and I never get tired of them, no matter how much I play them. After these three albums, the band faded out and at some point, John Wicks moved to Virginia and did some gigs around the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area. One album - Rotate - came out during that time period (1994) under the name John Wicks and The Records. It is excellent as well, even all those years after the original band had parted. I sincerely regret not hunting down a show and going to see John Wicks during that time period, as I also never got to see the original band live. He moved out west to L.A. several years ago.
John Wicks died from cancer on or around October 7, 2018. He will be truly missed by many fans who were touched, as I was, by his incredible songs. Rest In Peace John Wicks.
The Records on American TV, 1979, John Wicks on lead vocals & rhythm guitar
Ricki C. and JCE (John, to his friends & family) first bonded over their shared mutual love of Boston's Finest Sons - The Neighborhoods - and everything extended out from that rock & roll ripple. JCE lives in Culpeper, Virginia with his wife & daughter, and thinks a long-rumored new Neighborhoods record being released in 2018 would make this a perfect year.